Smithson Valley girls win first regional golf title

By Blake Hurtik :
April 17, 2012
: Updated: April 18, 2012 1:10am

The Smithson Valley girls golf team of Morgan Best (from left), Megan Woods, Johany Rivera, Sydney Reed and Amanda Turney pose for photos after winning the Region IV-4A girls golf tournament at the Golf Club of Texas on Tuesday, Apr. 17, 2012. The team beat Austin Lake Travis by six strokes to take first place in the tournament. Rivera also earned second place in the individual competition in a playoff hole. Kin Man Hui/Express-News.

Photo By Kin Man Hui/Express-News

Southside's Iisha Tarin (left) reacts to her her chip shot as the ball drifts toward the No. 9 hole at the Region IV-4A girls golf tournament at the Golf Club of Texas on Tuesday, Apr. 17, 2012. Kin Man Hui/Express-News.

Photo By Kin Man Hui/Express-News

Southside's Lindsey Garcia watches as her putt goes in for a birdie at the No. 9 hole at the Region IV-4A girls golf tournament at the Golf Club of Texas on Tuesday, Apr. 17, 2012. Kin Man Hui/Express-News.

Photo By Kin Man Hui/Express-News

Smithson Valley's Johany Rivera watches her approach shot up to the No. 1 green during a playoff hole at the Region IV-4A girls golf tournament at the Golf Club of Texas on Tuesday, Apr. 17, 2012. Rivera won the playoff hole and took second place in the tournament. The Smithson Valley girls team took first place in the tournament beating out Austin Lake Travis by six strokes. Kin Man Hui/Express-News.

Photo By Kin Man Hui/Express-News

Smithson Valley's Sydney Reed eyes her putt on the No. 18 green at the Region IV-4A girls golf tournament at the Golf Club of Texas on Tuesday, Apr. 17, 2012. The Smithson Valley girls team won first place by defeating Austin Lake Travis by six strokes. Kin Man Hui/Express-News.

Photo By Kin Man Hui/Express-News

Buda Hays' Lindsey McCurdy pitches up to the No. 18 green at the Region IV-4A girls golf tournament at the Golf Club of Texas on Tuesday, Apr. 17, 2012. McCurdy won the tournament and will compete in the state tournament in the individual competition. Kin Man Hui/Express-News.

Photo By Kin Man Hui/Express-News

Smithson Valley's Megan Woods watches her putt attempt on No. 18 at the Region IV-4A girls golf tournament at the Golf Club of Texas on Tuesday, Apr. 17, 2012. The Smithson Valley girls team won first place in the tournament by defeating Austin Lake Travis by six strokes. Kin Man Hui/Express-News.

Photo By Kin Man Hui/Express-News

Smithson Valley's Morgan Best hits her second shot at No. 18 at the Region IV-4A girls golf tournament at the Golf Club of Texas on Tuesday, Apr. 17, 2012. The Smithson Valley girls team took first place in the tournament over Austin Lake Travis by six strokes. Kin Man Hui/Express-News.

Even with a seven-stroke lead over Lake Travis after the first day of the Region IV-4A girls golf tournament, Smithson Valley knew not to get too comfortable.

After all, history wasn't on the Rangers' side. Lake Travis had erased first-day deficits before en route to winning nine straight regional titles.

But this time, Smithson Valley held on, beating Lake Travis by six strokes (614-620) at the Golf Club of Texas on Tuesday to earn the first regional championship in school history.

Snapping the Cavaliers' regional title run was a welcome bonus.

“To beat them and win our first title is really special,” said senior Sydney Reed, who fired a 3-over-par 75. “Now, we just have to keep up this confidence. If we can beat them, we can beat anyone.”

Both schools advance to the Class 4A state meet on April 30-May 1 at Jimmy Clay Golf Course in Austin.

It will be a repeat trip for Smithson Valley golfers Reed, Morgan Best and Megan Woods, who placed third overall at state last season. But one of the team's new additions helped carry them to the regional title.

Sophomore Johany Rivera shot an even-par 72 on Day 1. She followed it up with a 76 on Tuesday and beat Cedar Park's Jenna Phillips in a sudden-death playoff for second place in the individual standings.

Both golfers already had clinched their spots at state, but that didn't make the playoff on the first hole any easier.

“It took a bit of the edge off, but there was still plenty of pressure,” Rivera said.

Hays junior Lindsey McCurdy won the individual title by shooting 71 on both days.

Best, after posting an 87 on Day 1, rebounded on Tuesday with a 75. That made up for an uncharacteristic round for Woods, who carded an 83 after a 75 in the first round.

That kind of depth gives the Rangers confidence heading into state.

“We've all just gotten so much better,” Reed said. “We're excited to be headed back.”

They also know that a familiar foe likely will be their top competition in Austin.